Diabetes and Depression
The fun thing about depression is that it rarely comes to you without bringing along a few uninvited guests. Many depressives also have chronic pains (like migraines) or neurological disorders (like epliepsy). But more and more depressives also have Type 2 diabetes — although you can get diabetes before getting depression. Diabetes also increases the risk for getting dementia, but we’ll save that for another blogpost.
About Medications and Weight Gain
In developing Type 2 diabetes, most people are overweight or even obese. The too rich diet throws off the blood sugar (and not necessarily too much sugar). Now, if you have depression or anxiety and are taking certain medications, you have to be aware they can increase you appetite and make you sleepy, thus leading to weight gain. These medications include Xanax, Wellbutrin and Lexapro, which may be linked to causing Type 2 diabetes in some people. (Oddly enough, these same medications can cause weight loss in some other people. The fun of prescription medication!)
If you already have diabetes, then you know that controlling your wieght and exercising regularly is essential. Some medications can make you drowsy, give short-term memory loss and increase your appetite. Be sure your doctor or therapist know that you are diabetic.
Things You Can Do
If you have to take medications which may cause sleepiness and weight gain, you need to plan in advance to eat less calories, more fiber, more fruits and vegatbles and drink more water. If you can make double or triple the servings for healthy meals and freeze the leftovers, then you will be less tempted to call for a pizza because you are too tired to cook.
If you can also cut out smoking and alcoholic beverages, then you will help the drugs help your body do it’s job without the extra weight-gain.
Also, try your best to keep to a schedule. In this way, you can keep yourself busy and try not to think about taking a nap.
Hope this helps.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 pm
[...] If you are already taking Seroquel and know you have been able to better manage your symptoms on it, please do not go into a panic over this bit of news. I’m sure your doctor has told you about the importance of regular exercise and eating a low-fat diet. You just need to keep that up while on Seroquel — or many other drugs that have been known to cause weight gain. [...]
October 20th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
I’m not sure about the picture with the guy on a car.
Anyway Depression and Diabetes often go together you’re right, they are two imbalances that can spiral you down.
Thanks for the article.